variants
also hari-kari
as in suicide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hara-kiri
When the soldiers, instead of rising up, jeered at him, Mishima killed himself in the classic samurai fashion: performing hara-kiri, or seppuku (as the Japanese more commonly call it), by plunging a sword into his abdomen before a uniformed disciple sliced his head off.
—
Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
The film depicts the historical ‘Honno-ji Incident’ from 1582, when a key vassal of Oda Nobunaga rose in revolt and caused his master to commit hara-kiri in Kyoto.
—Mark Schilling, Variety, 17 Apr. 2023
Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
The film depicts the historical ‘Honno-ji Incident’ from 1582, when a key vassal of Oda Nobunaga rose in revolt and caused his master to commit hara-kiri in Kyoto.
—Mark Schilling, Variety, 17 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hara-kiri
Noun
-
Abby’s friends disarm Ellie, and then Abby murders Joel in front of Ellie’s eyes.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Robbery, rape, kidnapping and murder were frequent.—
Lauren Vuong,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Sheriff’s office homicide detectives have taken over the investigation from Florida City police, Rodriguez said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
-
This investigation is ongoing; any information regarding the shooting may be shared with Little Rock police homicide detectives at (501) 371-4660.—
Jesse Cain,
Arkansas Online,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Authorities have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the slaying of Thompson, who was killed outside a hotel where he was slated to attend an investor meeting that day.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Three men are under arrest on murder charges in the November double slaying of a Sacramento man and woman, Sacramento police officials announced Wednesday.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But on Wednesday, a grand jury indicted her on the charge of assisting self-murder/manslaughter, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.—
Frank Fernandez,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2023
-
The initial charge of first-degree murder has been reduced to assisting self-murder/manslaughter.—
Frank Fernandez,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2023
Noun
-
The officers who reported to the scene did not find any evidence of foul play.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Police previously said preliminary information suggested foul play was not involved.—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hara-kiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hara-kiri. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share